The selected corpus encompasses three sub-genres: Bass House, Microhouse, and Tech House. Currently, it comprises 128 tracks, with 63 tracks categorized as Bass House, 32 as Microhouse, and 33 as Tech House. These genres were chosen due to their ability to span a broad yet distinguishable range within the house music spectrum. The Bass House tracks are derived from compositions by Samuel Deep, Brawther, and Anil Aras. This sub-genre emphasizes the lower spectrum of house music, characterized by powerful kicks, deep basslines, and rhythmic drums conducive to dancing. Microhouse, a sub-genre blending elements of techno with a slower tempo, features soft, cushiony kick-drums and a dreamy ambiance. The Microhouse tracks included in the corpus draw inspiration from compositions by Zip and Ricardo Villalobos. The Tech House tracks included in the corpus are sourced from compositions by Mr C, Nathan Coles, and Buschwacka!. Tech House is characterized as a fusion genre merging techno and house elements, featuring groove-driven beats, a minimalist approach, and the integration of technological sounds.
The selected corpus closely aligns with my musical interests and expertise. As a passionate DJ and music producer with releases on Spotify, my focus lies predominantly within the realm of house music. House music, characterized by a diverse spectrum of genres akin to other musical forms, encompasses a multitude of intriguing niches, with distinctions evident across various elements such as arrangement, drum patterns, sampling techniques, and tempo. Particularly within underground house music, which diverges from mainstream popular culture to cater to devoted enthusiasts, the differentiation among these niches is pronounced. Originating in Chicago’s underground club scene in the 1980s, underground house music swiftly gained traction in Europe, with the UK actively participating in its evolution. During those years, thousands of vinyl records were pressed, each release typically limited to a small number of copies owing to the niche nature of the genre. Countries such as Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, and Sweden swiftly embraced and enriched the underground house music scene. Even today, at parties and festivals, these vintage records seamlessly intertwine with modern releases, showcasing the timeless qualities of certain productions from earlier years. While the complexity within these niches is undeniable, discussions with fellow composers often center around the perceived simplicity of house music. The question arises: “Isn’t house music merely a repetitive 4/4 drum beat coupled with a basic arrangement template (intro, buildup, outro)?”. In my perspective, the answer lies in both affirmation and negation. While many tracks categorized as house music exhibit repetitiveness and adhere to a basic arrangement template, the vast distinctions across various musical elements within the niches of underground house music underscore the complexity inherent in the genre. In this research, I aim to utilize the Spotify API as a third party in this discourse, shedding new light on the discussion by providing insights into the intricacies of house music.
The research examines the following main research question: ‘How do the features extracted from the Spotify API contribute to understanding the extent of repetitiveness, complexity, and creative variation within House music as a genre?’. To address this question, the research is divided into several parts, each examining different aspects of music using the features provided by the Spotify API.